Cleveland
RANK #333 / 996 NAT · #33 / 49 OH · POP 1,256,620
1YR FORECAST: +1.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +28%
Shaker Heights, a planned community known for its architecture and green spaces, offers a distinctive entry point to Cuyahoga County. Located in Northeast Ohio, the county is anchored by Cleveland and sits along the southern shore of Lake Erie. Commutes to downtown Cleveland are generally short, with public transit options available. The community feel varies across the county's diverse towns, from urban neighborhoods to lakeside communities like Bay Village. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with the Cleveland Metroparks' "Emerald Necklace" offering trails and waterfalls, and a portion of Cuyahoga Valley National Park providing extensive opportunities for hiking, biking, and paddling.
Life in the county offers a mix of urban amenities and suburban living. Many residents own their homes, and the county features numerous parks, restaurants, and coffee shops. Educational opportunities are available through various public school districts, including those in Bay Village, Shaker Heights, and Solon. The economy is undergoing a transition from its manufacturing past to a knowledge-based economy, with a focus on sectors like technology, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare innovation. Major institutions like the Cleveland Clinic contribute to the region's standing in medical research. Efforts are underway to foster private-sector job growth and ensure equitable economic opportunities across the county's diverse communities.
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.0x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Cuyahoga County Solar and Battery Storage Project
Cuyahoga County, City of Cleveland, City of Painesville
|
$129M | Planned |
|
I-90 Central Interchange Pavement and Bridge Replacements
Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
I-90 Major Rehabilitation (Hillard Blvd. and West Blvd.)
Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
H5 Data Centers Cleveland
H5 Data Centers
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Cuyahoga Generating Facility
Northeastern Power Systems
|
$50M | Operating |
|
700 Lake (Luxury Lakefront Residences)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 66/100, Cuyahoga County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $60,074 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in OH.
By national standards, Cuyahoga County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $168,700, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $952/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Cuyahoga County is losing population (-0.6% YoY) while the job market is essentially flat (+0.2% employment change). Home values are +4.8% over the past 12 months. A slow-bleed pattern — not a collapse, but residents are leaving faster than employers are hiring.
Not particularly — 1.9% of Cuyahoga County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.